20 Thoughtful Gifts For An Audiophile

We know it’s not always easy to shop for someone who has a hobby that’s pretty much as niche as it gets. If you want to spoil the audio fanatic in your life with a thoughtful gift, we’re glad you found our guide!

When they unwrap your present, it’ll prove once and for all that your ears don’t completely stop working while they’re rambling on about that new piece of gear they bought the other day. (Yes, gear acquisition syndrome is a real thing.)

Trust us, we’re one of those fanatics too, so we totally understand why most people don’t care to have those conversations. Don’t be surprised if they or ask you “How did you know?”, or make a comment about how good you are at “doing your research”, with a pleasantly stunned look on their face.

We think you’ll find our suggestions extremely helpful for your search, and it should at least cut your browsing time in half! No matter what the special occasion happens to be, here are 20 thoughtful gifts for an audiophile!

20 Thoughtful Gifts For An Audiophile

We did our best to include a pretty wide variety of ideas for music lovers of all types. There’s something here for each style of listening – whether they prefer headphones, collecting vinyl, or shamelessly blasting their music on a pair of speakers.

If you haven’t already asked them a few general questions, now would be the perfect time to see what they have in mind. Then again, if you’d rather make it a complete surprise – we have you covered!

There’s no need to feel overwhelmed by all the terms and technical info – we included a brief description for each recommendation! We did our best to give you all the basics you’ll need to know before you make up your mind. Feel free to use the links below to browse whichever category catches your eye!

1. The Complete Guide To High End Audio by Robert Harley

This book is available in both a hardcover and paperback edition. It offers an extremely in depth guide/introduction into the world of high-end audio. It’s filled with helpful tips that not only newbies, but seasoned listeners can benefit from.

They can flip through the pages and find tips for identifying problem spots in their setup and how to fix any issues! Since there are so many different types of speakers, amplifiers, and cables to choose from, having an audio encyclopedia would benefit anyone who wants to become an expert in this arena.

What’s The Bottom Line?

The Complete Guide To High-End Audio by Robert Harley is a 578-page gem that deserves a special place on the bookshelf alongside any serious collection!

2. Sennheiser HD 650 Open Back Headphones

These professional-grade open back cans from one of the most well-respected names in audio are commonly included in countless Best Of Roundups. The Sennheiser HD 650 excel at creating a spacious soundscape that’s perfect for extremely critical listening at home or in the studio!

If you know they’ve been looking for a solid headphone upgrade, look no further. They check almost every box in each area that most listeners value. They’re extremely well-built, comfortable, and above all else – sound amazing.

What’s The Bottom Line?

The HD 650 are a little bit harder to drive (send enough power to listen at higher volumes) – so if you really want to surprise them, it’s probably a good idea to also grab a portable amp like the one seen below!

3. iFi Audio Micro iDSD Black Label USB DAC/Amp

If you’re looking at the picture above and aren’t exactly sure what that device does, it basically makes any pair of headphones sound 10x better! It has inputs/outputs for connecting to headphones, a laptop, PC, or smartphone.

Since it’s gotten so many positive reviews, it’s become one of the most highly-rated portable DAC/Amps on Amazon. It’s small enough that you can take it with you for portable listening, but powerful enough to use at home or in the office.

Its low profile matte black finish and 12 hour battery life (on a single charge) only add to its extremely high-demand. If the person you’re shopping for likes to be hands-on when they fine tune their music – the iFi Audio Micro iDSD portable DAC/Amp would be right up their alley!

What’s The Bottom Line?

For such a compact device, it packs an impressive punch that will dramatically improve any headphones performance – no matter which pair they already own!

4. Edifier S1000DB Bookshelf Speakers

The Edifier S1000DB are one of the best bookshelf speakers your money can buy. They can be paired with any smartphone or wireless digital audio player using the Bluetooth connection. If the Bluetooth 4.0 streaming quality isn’t up to par, they can be connected with a turntable, laptop, PC, or high-end receiver.

They also come with a mini remote and 5.5″ subwoofers in each speaker. Their wood grain finish and versatile connectivity options are two features that earned them a spot on our list. On the back of each monitor, you can control the volume, bass, and treble. One of our favorite stand out features they have to offer is their premium finish that looks great next to most household furniture!

What’s The Bottom Line?

They’re small enough to be neatly tucked away (if needed), but their sound is anything but small. If you’re shopping for someone who loves vinyl or needs a speaker upgrade in their listening room – the S1000DB are one of the best-selling sets for a reason!

5. Edifier Wood Grain Speaker Stands

These beautiful wood grain speaker stands were specifically designed to be paired with the Edifier S1000DB. The set includes one floor stand for each speaker. Their sturdy build not only not only improves the speaker’s bass response, but also minimizes excessive floor vibration.

It’s an extremely easy and stylish way to display their favorite bookshelf speakers (although we recommend using them with the S1000DB). They also make for a great addition to virtually any room, just like the speakers they were built to shelve.

What’s The Bottom Line?

If the person you’re shopping for needs an easy-to-setup pair of speaker stands to clear up some desk space – these would be a great place to start!

6. Emotiva Audio XPS-1 Phono Preamp

A high quality phono preamp is an absolute essential piece of turntable equipment. Without it, it’s essentially impossible to connect external speakers to most turntables. The XPS-1 acts as a low noise/low distortion pre-amplification device that’s designed to be paired in conjunction with their turntable and dedicated amplifier.

It also has multiple external functions that allow the user to have personalized control over the power output. Even many phono preamps that cost twice as much don’t offer the same level of customization as the XPS-1.

What’s The Bottom Line?

If you’re on a budget, but you still want to help them improve their turntable listening experience, the Emotiva XPS-1 is easily one of the best sub-$200 options!

7. Klipsch R-15PM + ProJect Turntable Bundle Deal

Klipsch and world-renowned turntable company Pro-Ject teamed up to create an awesome bundle deal aimed directly towards vinyl lovers. This bundle deal includes one pair of Klipsch R-15PM bookshelf speakers, as well as one special edition Pro-Ject turntable.

If you were to buy each piece of gear separately, it would cost nearly twice as much as the current value of the entire bundle! The speakers can also be paired with any Bluetooth device for completely wire-free streaming. If they decide to use a different pair of speakers (they already own) with their brand new turntable, they can use the R-15PM as a welcome addition to their TV’s sound system.

What’s The Bottom Line?

Bundle deals that give you as much “bang for your buck” as this does are much less common than you might think. This is, without a doubt, the perfect bundle to make any turntable enthusiast ecstatic on their birthday, special holiday, or as a completely random surprise!

8. Crosley Mahogany Media Console

The Crosley media console with a hand rubbed mahogany finish is perfect for keeping their turntable on display and their record collection neatly tucked away in the bottom compartment! Its sturdy build and beautiful finish blends in very well with a variety of furniture textures and colors. (Plus, they won’t have anymore excuses for not properly storing their records.)

There’s a neat compartment on the right side for their turntable and extra storage underneath. As you can probably see in the picture above, the compartment on the bottom ride side even has built-in dividers for keeping their records organized.

Plus, when they’re done spinning some of their favorite albums on vinyl, the top piece folds down to cover the turntable compartment. It keeps everything neatly tucked away, while at the same time keeping excessive dust from collecting on their turntable.

What’s The Bottom Line?

When it’s closed up, this best-selling media console looks like a regular wooden cabinet, when in reality, it’s actually storing a few musical treasures inside!

9. “I Only Listen To Tubes” T-Shirt

If you’ve ever seen one of those weird-looking tube amps alongside their audio setup, just know that it’s not a device they use to try and contact alien life forms. This graphic tee is extremely specific, for an extremely specific listener! If whoever you’re shopping for has what’s called a tube amp, chances are, they’re not afraid to geek out about it from time to time (especially if they built them by hand).

The t-shirt itself is made of extremely comfortable materials and comes in a few different variations. It’s available in multiple colors, as well as men’s, women’s, and youth sizes. The classy lettering and somewhat understated graphic is stylish enough to wear around the house, or at an upcoming CanJam or live concert.

What’s The Bottom Line?

If you know they need a replacement for their old band tee that’s starting to look like a hole-filled rag – surprise them on a special occasion with a fresh, new tubes tee!

10. AudioQuest PERCH Headphone Stand

The AudioQuest PERCH is one of the most highly-rated headphone stands due to its extremely high quality build and solid base. It’s sturdy enough to support any pair of high-end headphones while evenly-distributing the weight resting on the headband.

It can safely cradle one pair of headphones at a time and doesn’t have any extra unnecessary frills or features. It looks great by itself, but even better with a pair of quality headphones resting on its cradle. This high quality headphone stand was designed by Skylar Gray (no, not the singer) who specializes in all things sound, music, and hearing.

What’s The Bottom Line?

If you’ve noticed their “office space” or desk is getting a little too cluttered – help them take the first step towards getting organized!

11. B&O Play H8 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

B&O Play is one of the most highly-respected names in the audio world. They pay extra attention to the smallest of details and don’t take any shortcuts. The H8 (pictured above) are one of the best on-ear noise cancelling headphones that money can buy.

They are made of soft lambskin, genuine cowhide leather, and anodized aluminum (not to mention the genuine leather smells as good as it looks). If you know the person you’re shopping for isn’t a big fan of gray or hazel, you can choose from two additional color schemes.

What’s The Bottom Line?

Aside from their ultra premium build quality, they’re known as being one of the most lightweight pair of noise cancelling headphones ever made. If that special someone enjoys a classy and comfortable listening experience, it would be a mistake not to recommend the B&O Play H8!

12. HiBy R6 Hi-Res Touch Screen Digital Audio Player

The HiBy R6 is one of the best-selling digital audio players of its kind – and for good reason. This high quality DAP features a smooth Android user interface that supports most hi-res audio formats. Its lightweight build and pocket-size shape is perfect for taking their favorite songs on-the-go!

It has 12 hour battery life and the ability to store up to 2TB of audio (which is about the equivalent of 400,000 songs)! They can also use it to access most wireless streaming apps including Spotify, Tidal, and the Google Play Store for listening to their favorite audiobooks or podcasts.

The beautiful touch screen display makes it a pleasure to scroll through and browse album artwork. It’s also easy to make simple adjustments on-the-go using the button controls on either side of the device.

What’s The Bottom Line?

There’s no doubt in our mind that they won’t get countless hours of enjoyment from this portable player, whether they prefer wired or wireless listening!

13. Sonos Playbar – Wireless TV Soundbar

If the music lover in your life also enjoys elevating the sound of their favorite movies/TV shows, it’s hard to argue against the Sonos Playbar. It has 9 separate amplified speakers behind the black covering that helps create a spacious soundscape and rumbling bass.

It’s fully compatible with any device they connect to the TV – including gaming consoles, laptops, Roku, Apple TV, or a Blu-ray player. When it’s paired with a voice-activated speaker (like the Sonos One or Amazon Echo) you can use it as a central hub for controlling music.

Unlike Amazon Echo devices, it uses a WiFi streaming connection for interruption and lag-free listening. Some people pair one or more Sonos devices with the Playbar to create a completely wireless surround sound setup.

What’s The Bottom Line?

If you like to watch the latest Netflix or Hulu series together, you’ll both get a ton of enjoyment out of this innovative device!

14. KEF LS50 Speakers

KEF clearly designed these speakers for the audiophile who has extremely classy and expensive taste. If you really want to “Wow!” the person you have in mind, the piano gloss finish on the KEF LS50 will not only drop their jaw, but keep them on your good side until the end of time (seriously, though).

These high-class mini monitors have an anything-but-mini performance. Their audio performance really shines through when they’re connected to an external amp like the iFi Micro iDSD, or Emotiva XPS-1 phono preamp. They’re available in 4 different color schemes including black/gold, black on black, red/black, or white/blue.

What’s The Bottom Line?

If you’re going to spend this much on a pair of speakers, it’s absolutely essential that they’re enjoyed by someone who will really appreciate the attention to detail and expert craftsmanship!

15. Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

The newly-released Sony WH-1000XM3 are an industry-leading pair of noise cancelling headphones that improve on everything audio enthusiasts loved about the previous Sony WH1000XM2. Although their build design looks nearly identical, they have an extended Quick Charge battery life as well as a few other improvements.

On a quick 10 minute charge, they can be enjoyed for up to 5 full hours! Their noise cancelling performance is top-of-the-line, but the Quick Charge feature may be what sets them apart from the competition. The newly-added internal Qn1 noise cancelling processor eliminates even more noise than the previous model.

What’s The Bottom Line?

Above all, the improvements on battery life and noise cancellation technology were definitely worth the wait. If the person you’re shopping for has a thirst for travel or long commute to and from work every day – they’d gladly welcome this addition to their portable collection!

16. Etymotic Research ER4XR In-Ear Monitors

The ER4XR feature a deep insertion in-ear design that creates an extremely unique and engaging listening experience. They’re manufactured by a well-respected company who built their reputation specializing in acoustic research and the hearing aid industry.

These in-ear monitors (aka IEMs) have a slightly extended bass response that can be appreciated by both analytical and casual listeners. If you want to learn a little bit more about them before you grab a pair, take a look at our full Etymotic Research ER4XR review. The reality is – few deep insertion in-ear monitors can compete with their comfort and overall performance!

What’s The Bottom Line?

If you’re shopping for someone who’s mentioned needing a new pair of IEMs, and you surprise them with these – your chance of receiving an equally thoughtful gift in return is almost guaranteed!

17. Audioengine HD6 Wireless Bookshelf Speakers

The Audioengine HD6 sound as amazing as they look. They’re consistently featured on many Best Of Roundups and continue to be one of the best-selling wireless bookshelf speaker sets. If the music lover in your life has been looking for a worthy upgrade, the HD6 might be the answer!

They’re available in 4 different color schemes including black (pictured above), white, cherry (wood), and walnut. They can either stand out, or blend in with the rest of the furniture in any room (similar to the Crosley media console).

They come with all the cables required for easy setup and even a few extras, depending on what equipment they’ll be connected to. They also have built-in aptX wireless capabilities for lag-free Spotify or Tidal streaming.

What’s The Bottom Line?

The HD6 offer an above-average bargain that balances both price and performance! So much so, that they’re pretty much impossible to overlook.

18. Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

The Onyx Studio 4 is a compact wireless speaker that can be paired with 2 separate smart devices at the same time. It’s completely portable and has an 8 hour battery life that’s suitable for most occasions. If you have more than one Studio 4, you can use the wireless feature to connect over 100 compatible speakers from a single source!

It also has a built-in microphone for accessing Google Assistant or Siri (but the main reason we recommend it is for its outstanding sound quality). The music lover in your life can control all their favorite music directly from their smartphone without having to touch a single button.

What’s The Bottom Line?

It’s the perfect Bluetooth speaker for an office desk, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen on those special occasions when you have a few friends or family over to enjoy a delicious meal!

19. Retro Mixtape Cassette Doormat

Most audiophiles appreciate both the old and new technology. This unique retro mixtape cassette doormat has a nostalgic design that gives a slight nod to the evolution of how we consume music today. It’s one of those everyday items with a practical purpose that doesn’t take up any extra room (or require an excuse for keeping it around).

It can be placed for both outdoor and indoor use, depending on how they want to use it. It looks great on the floor in front of a bedroom, listening room, or office. It’s an extremely inexpensive way to not only keep dirt to a minimum, but also display their love for what’s quickly becoming an outdated music medium.

What’s The Bottom Line?

Even if they don’t have an extensive cassette tape collection, there’s no doubt in our mind that they’ll appreciate the clever thought behind the nostalgic design of this unique doormat!

20. Turntable Kitchen Curated Coffee And Vinyl Pairing

In our opinion, few things pair together as well as coffee and music. Take it a step further by adding vinyl to the mix and what you get is a completely one-of-a-kind monthly subscription service. Turntable Kitchen offers a 1 month, three month, or 6 month subscription package.

Each month, they’ll send a specially-curated package consisting of an exclusive 7″ colored vinyl, plus a 12 oz. bag of fresh Seattle’s Slate coffee. On top of all that, they’ll include their latest digital mixtape with brand new music.

What’s The Bottom Line?

If you’re shopping for someone who loves coffee as much as they do vinyl, sign them up for our most thoughtful recommendation – a specially-curated Coffee & Vinyl pairing subscription!

Did This Guide Spark Any Unique Ideas?

We hope you found our guide helpful! If you weren’t able to find exactly what you were looking for, leave a comment below and we’d be more than happy to help! Did you come up with any of your own unique ideas as you were browsing our recommendations?

As we mentioned at the beginning, we feel confident that any one of these gifts for an audiophile would make any music lover’s day, no matter what the special occasion happens to be!

If you have any questions, or need some help deciding – feel free to ask below! We always do our best to respond as quickly as we can and look forward to hearing from you!